Tuujaimaa

Night of the Hunt - Paleblood

Ophelia

"Your concern is touching, love, but fear not. We wouldn't head there immediately in any case--there are other things to do first. I simply wanted to know whether we'd have to chase the chalice down in the Waking World! No, first we shall fulfil the most basic of the Queen's requests and obtain the chalice there. Once we've obtained that, you seem to have a good sense of how perilous the corresponding bits of labyrinth are and I would be glad for your guidance. If even that chalice is a little beyond us, we can certainly go through easier ones first and obtain blood echoes to become stronger with... That'd serve us well for our tasks in the Waking World too. I'd like to have the Holy Moonlight Sword back at its full strength before we traipse into the deeper parts of the labyrinth, not only for the benefits in combat but also for its profound wisdom." Ophelia retorted with a gentle smile. Much knowledge had been gleaned from the Old Labyrinth by a great many people over the years, and Ophelia intended for them to join those illustrious ranks--albeit with a much healthier dose of caution than they had exercised. With that done she offered the Doll and the Shopkeeper a curtsey and headed over to Torquil once more and sat beside him.

"Your new eyes are quite beautiful, in their own way, dear. Whatever choice you make, we're with you." She began, before slipping her right hand into his left hand if he'd let her and interlacing their fingers. "I won't ever forget that you sacrificed yourself to save us without knowing that you'd come back, you know? It was a very sweet and noble thing to do, and I'm so very grateful to have you with us. I couldn't ask for better company." She spoke, looking up at the moon with wide eyes. She'd done better for herself than he had, or... at least had been luckier, but from what little she knew of his past she felt a particular kinship with this strange man from the woods. They were both outsiders who'd never really fit in--one could say many things about the Witches of Hemwick, but never that they were typical or ordinary in any sense. She sensed a certain feeling of loss and melancholy from him that she knew well, though she wasn't certain that he'd ever found anything resembling meaningful connection before tonight. He had helped them a great deal, even when he didn't understand what was going on. He'd put his trust in them, in her, and she hoped he knew that she did truly value that connection--she valued it with all of them.

"I'm sorry about you having to give up the arm, Farren. I didn't dare attempt to mislead her, and figured her favour was worth more to us than some piece of a corpse we had no guarantee of being able to use. Still, I feel like I've snatched a prize away from you, and if I can make it up to you somehow I'd be glad to." She called out to Farren after a few seconds, suddenly remembering her earlier convictions amidst the sudden strangeness that had occurred.

Night of the Hunt - Paleblood

Ophelia

"It's less about that and more about how he feels, dear, it was quite the unexpected shock. Gerlinde is right, though, we can just go over to the Halls of the Old Lords and get you changed back. We can go now if you just want to get it done with?" Ophelia offered, chortling slightly as Torquil checked himself. She shared the sentiment that there wasn't anything to worry about, but it was clear that he needed some emotional support and, well, who could blame him? It would be quite a horrifying thing to suddenly have happen, though at least it appeared to have been painless.

With a plan of action ready in her mind for whether Torquil accepted or refused, Ophelia turned to the Moonborn Hunter and continued relaying details of what they'd learned in Cainhurst.

"Annalise seems quite pleasant, if imperious. We can ask Dietrich about how to fulfil her quests, if anyone would know I'd suspect it'd be him... And I feel something of an obligation to disabuse him of his notions about the Vilebloods. Especially seeing as I've lineage from that place! Ah, and on that note, I mean to ask you about Bloodblade, dear. Have we still the chalice where it might be found, to the best of your recollection, or need we go hunting?" Ophelia commented after she'd finished relaying the facts, immediately segueing into the plan of action.

Night of the Hunt - Paleblood

Ophelia

Ophelia was mid-way through her explanation when Farren's shouting got her attention--she was too engrossed in her story to have heard Torquil's softer cries of lament--and turned around to look at what had happened only to be momentarily struck dumb. She had none of the instinctive reaction that Farren did, instantly recognising that it must be Torquil from the rest of his form, and blinked twice before she jogged over to take a look.

"My, this is... Mother Moon above, these kinds of changes must be a potential result of the Vicar's experiments... It's alright, love, you seem to be breathing fine. Are you experiencing any other physical symptoms? I know you must be frightfully upset, but let's try and work out what's happened before we go assuming the worst." Ophelia spoke, trying to be as reassuring as she could as she rested a hand on Torquil's shoulder and gave him what she hoped was a comforting squeeze.

"Three eyes... Needle-like teeth... Blue skin with patches of chitin... My, I'd say you've taken on an aspect of Kin. This is certainly alien physiology... It stands to reason that if the changes false Paleblood wreaks can be caused by entering the Dream that they can be undone by entering the Dream... but who knows if worse will happen besides? Oh, my sweet Quilly..." Ophelia spoke softly, examining him carefully. She turned her head over her shoulder to get a quick look at the Moonborn and the Doll and beckoned them over with a nod. It truly did not really matter to her what Torquil looked like--he was still Torquil--but she was at something of a loss for what to do about his predicament.

Night of the Hunt - Paleblood

Ophelia

"I share not the bloodthirst of the Moonborn Hunter, Your Majesty, fear not. I am a witch more than I am a Hunter, and accepted the Old Blood only to stave off a long and painful death by Paleblood. The Great Ones are vital to the Waking World in their own way, and I would not see one slaughtered lest it was necessary and they could be replaced. One who is merely kin, however, is a perfectly eligible target for death; their immortality matters not, for we are immortal also. The Moonborn Hunter has slain a true Great One before, so it is possible, and it is a feat that we shall repeat. I share your concern that action has not already been taken, however... There must be a reason, and we shall do our best to divine it discreetly. We shall return with the means of your freedom at hand, Your Majesty, and I thank you for granting us audience. It has been most auspicious." Ophelia replied, happy to conclude the conversation there. Once again assuming that the Queen did not reply, she would rise from her position and return to the lantern, beckoning for the others to follow.

Night of the Hunt - Paleblood

Ophelia

Ophelia listened attentively as the Queen spoke, luxuriating in the ancient wisdom dispensed to her. At last, something she--no, they--could truly work with. Once Annalise finished Ophelia permitted herself to laugh, a musical and rich thing like the dulcet fragrance of honeysuckle late on a summer's night. Like she used to when she would walk the path to the shrine in the woods, where all the birds would join her and the world was simple and small. The kind of laugh that Torquil might've heard from behind his arboreal nooks as he wandered the woods, that Ophelia hadn't uttered since they first awoke in Rebirth's Rise what felt like far longer ago than it had been.

"If he is but kin, then I believe he can be killed without consequence? If that is true, Your Majesty, then he is already dead. Between ourselves and the Moonborn Hunter, we have as many tries as we like--he will have to get lucky every few minutes for the rest of his exceedingly short life. We need only do so once. We will not underestimate him, however, nor shall I squander an opportunity to wrest his power from him and use it to serve that which he so desperately feels contempt for. To know of this Cael is also a tremendous boon, for which I am eminently grateful. It would seem that the 'Golden Bastard', as my companion so accurately if crassly refers to him, is not what we are fighting--the awakening of his master is... but he has tampered with our minds, and for that he will die an ignominious death. For us, for Divine Queen Yharnam, and for you, Your Majesty. For a world where your child may burgeon and blossom without the rotten influence of Gold." Ophelia spoke, reverently and powerfully. For what felt like the first time in the entire night she felt like they had a real chance, a modicum of understanding enough to not be entirely unmoored in the vast world they'd awakened themselves to.

Night of the Hunt - Paleblood

Ophelia

"Grave tidings indeed, Your Majesty. If you know of him, I implore you, please share your findings with us. I had not wished to act too overtly against him without knowing what he is and what he wants, but that you grant him the appellation of 'Golden Trickster' speaks to his character. We have, if it pleases your Majesty, been fortunate enough to come across a Rune that protects against eldritch influence and enables one to see through illusions--should you wish me to brand you with this Rune, or any members of your household, it would be a privilege and an honour. We have made the first move against him, in that we have freed the First Hunter from his thrall, and will continue to muster allies. It is more imperative than ever that you must be freed from your confinement, Your Majesty, if you are to stand with us--I will fulfill all three of your quests." Ophelia replied, bowing her head lower and more reverently. Pride--one might even say Ego--was a trap that she would not allow to get in the way of her goals. She would debase herself thoroughly to see the work done, though there was not even the faintest pricking of that sensation that she had to overcome as she knelt before Queen Annalise.

Ruling because one's family had always ruled was, to Ophelia's mind, no point of merit--but Yharnam did need a leader outside of the failing system of the Healing Church. Perhaps this was why the Healing Church had sought to vilify her lineage and her right to rule, that the reign of power in the old order would never have allowed the trespasses that they committed... though the fact she never once heard about Cainhurst while growing up suggested that her parents had tried to leave that life behind. She wondered why, and would do her best to get to the bottom of that, but could not ignore the present reality that Cainhurst could prove to be exceptionally valuable allies.

Night of the Hunt - Paleblood

Ophelia

Ophelia found herself very sympathetic to the Queen's goals and to her plight of suffering, knowing well what it was like to grow up without parents. This Child of Blood, whatever they were, was innocent of any crime--and Ophelia would not see her go without a mother. Whatever Queen Annalise had done, the world was very different now. The legacy of those who'd imprisoned her had already been tarnished, their status one of disrepute and their works now viewed as contemptible--what right had they to keep a mother from her children, when all they wrought was wickedness?

"I know too well what it is like for a daughter to be bereft of a mother, Your Majesty. I will not let the same fate befall your daughter, and will not rest until you are freed from your confinement. There is something I should mention, however, for it is of grave concern to all: there is a new threat that lurks at the heart of the Healing Church. A Great One known as the Lord of Providence, whose name is known to us but must not be spoken lest they be invoked. Unleashed from the labyrinth by the streak of carnage cut across the land by the Moonborn Hunter and the deaths of Great Ones, they scheme at the heart of the Grand Cathedral and we dare not intrude while much remains undone. The supplies necessary to make a Hunter, however, should be within our grasp--as is the Old Labyrinth. We will depart posthaste to scour the Healing Church clean, and free you from your prison. Though... Divine Queen Yharnam? So the city is named after her, or was she named after the city? It must be the former, surely, for a lineage as ancient as this one seems to be... Ah, but I digress. We shall return soon, Your Majesty." Ophelia replied, thoughtful but full of conviction, and if there was no reply from the Queen regarding the information she'd brought would stand and wait for the others to do so before curtseying and heading back to the Lantern.

Night of the Hunt - Paleblood

Ophelia

Ophelia sighed internally at the delay, impatient to get this over with so that they could retrieve her weapon's lost twin. Sacred relic or not, they needed the chalice only for a scant few hours--having to do even more to earn it was tiresome. Still, she supposed it could not be helped--one such as the Queen seemed quite unable to leave the chamber, and aid like theirs as Paleblood Hunters was exceptionally rare. Were the roles reversed, Ophelia could at least understand why one would be keen to put an offer of service to work.

"I'm afraid I don't really know what that would entail, Your Majesty, and am typically loath to agree to something I do not understand. Still, the fruits of your lineage blossom within my blood already; if you wish to further anoint me I shall gratefully accept. I will do whatever needs be done for the Chalice, and would take the opportunity to learn of my august lineage. Though... I know not which of my parents passed down the legacy of Cainhurst to me, for both died when I was very young."

Night of the Hunt - Paleblood

Ophelia

Ophelia had grown accustomed enough to Farren to know that he was deeply unhappy with the arrangement of things, and thought perhaps that she had potentially... not misspoken, for obtaining the Chalice here in Cainhurst was of a higher priority than even her relationship with her fellows, but something like that. She made a mental note to apologise to him after they left this place, not meaning to deny him his prize but equally unwilling to risk offending this imperious monarch who might know much about her own past, her parents. Papa. Perhaps even Mama, though she found the memories containing the answer fuzzy at best and did not trust what she might glean from them. At least, the Chalice was immediately able to be resolved.

"Very well, Your Majesty. As I said before, one of my reasons for coming here is that a Chalice is here somewhere. If it pleases you, might we borrow it? Once our communion is done and its purpose fulfilled, I would be happy to return it here--or to keep it, as Your Majesty wishes. Forgive my lack of courtly manners, but if you consider the information we've brought tribute enough that is that, though I would also be happy to provide you leal service to obtain the relic I seek?" Ophelia spoke, still kneeling and still not looking up at the Queen. Though her language was refined and her manner could be considered relatively genteel, Ophelia was no noble at heart--she was a witch, down in the muck with the people like Farren and Torquil, used to viscera and death. She truly did not know how to speak to one such as the Queen, though she did not feel the same compunctions about displays of deference that Farren did--it was simply an accessory, a tool, a rune. A thing to help her accomplish her goals--and in service of her goals, she would do almost anything.

Night of the Hunt - Paleblood

Ophelia

Upon receiving the queen's admonition--and grace--Ophelia nodded and knelt dutifully before the sovereign and her throne. She did not look up as she continued to speak, though there was a hint of curiosity about her face at the revelation of this 'Paarl' being mentioned. Ophelia immediately knew what had happened and found herself somewhat shocked that this conversation had not already happened 5 years prior... though with how rare darkbeasts were purported to be perhaps it made sense why not.

"Paarl, O Sovereign, was transformed into what has been called a 'Darkbeast', according to my sources of knowledge. We were attacked by such a beast and left with no choice but to defend ourselves and kill it. It had been chained by the denizens of Yahar'gul and used as a guardian of that place." Ophelia recounted truthfully, typically not a liar at the best of times, never mind in the strange situation she now found herself. She hoped such an answer would not displease the sovereign, though judging by what the Messengers had revealed if this Queen was indeed his mother (or some other relation) it would perhaps be difficult news. Still, Ophelia was of the mind that meaningful relationships could not be built upon an unstable foundation of lies. This was no exception.